System and method for detecting leaks in a fluid filled vessel

ABSTRACT

A leak detecting device for water filled vessel such as a swimming pool. An annular resilient seal having a central opening contacts the surface of the vessel under water and creates a seal between the resilient seal and the vessel. A rigid housing open in its interior is coupled to the resilient seal and has an opening for an inlet to deliver fluid into the interior of the housing, or couple a flow meter thereto to measure the fluid flow, or deliver a dye into the housing and through the central opening of the resilient seal.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a system and method for leak detection, and,more particularly, to a system and method for detecting leaks in aliquid filled vessel such as a swimming pool.

RELATED ART

The use of leak detecting devices are well known in the art,particularly for use in swimming pools. Pools, whether above ground orunderground, do leak. Leaks may occur around pool drains, pool lights,skimmers, suction and discharge lines and other pool surfaces, etc.

There is a need for a simple leak detection system for a swimming poolthat is easy to use for a pool attendant or pool owner.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a leak detecting system andmethod for detection leaks in water filled vessel, such as a swimmingpool.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system thatcan detect leaks at drains, lights, skimmers, suction and dischargelines, etc.

These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing aresilient seal adapted to contact the surface of the vessel underwaterwhere a leak is suspected or may be present. A rigid housing is coupledto the seal and has a fitting accessible from the exterior communicatingwith the interior of the housing and a central aperture of the seal fordelivering a fluid such as a dye into the interior of the housing orcoupling a flow meter thereto to detect the flow of water into or out ofthe housing. The dye solution is used for leak detection purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent with reference to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a elevational side view of a conventional swimming poolshowing the leak detection device prior to installation against the maindrain of the pool;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the leak detection deviceprior to installation;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a component of the leak detection device ofFIG. 2 taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the leak detection device inposition against the pool drainage;

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of a conventional pool having 2drains therein with the leak detection device installed over one drainand a second similar device installed over the second drain;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a modified portion of the leakdetection device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the pool of FIG. 1 showing aconventional pool light installed in the sidewall of the pool and amodified fluid detection device prior to installation;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the fluid detection device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the fluid detection devicesealed to the pool light;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing still another fluiddetection device prior to mounting to a suction or discharge pipe of thepool;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the fluid detection device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating operations of thefluid detection device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the pool of FIG. 1 showing aconventional skimmer mounted in the side wall and a fluid detectiondevice similar to those discussed in FIGS. 1 to 12;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the fluid detection device alone ofFIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the fluid detection devicein position engaging the pool skimmer;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the pool of FIG. 1 similar to FIG.13 but showing a modified leak detection device in installed position;and

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of the fluid detection device alone ofFIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of aconventional swimming pool 10 showing the main drain 11 at the bottom ofthe pool below water level 12. A leak detection device 13 is shown inexploded view.

As seen in FIG. 2, the leak detection device 13 includes a resilientmember 14 which is preferably of rubber, such as a soft syntheticrubber, or any other suitable material. It may be solid or inflatable,and preferably annular, such as circular, circular in outerconfiguration and of a diameter greater than the diameter of drain 11,which drains are generally circular. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, member 14has a central hole or opening 14′ communicating with the hollow interior15′ of member 15 (see FIG. 3A).

Housing 15 thus is secured to member 14 and may be of a solid material,such as plastic, preferably transparent and dome-shaped. A fluid inletbarb 16 may be provided at top of housing 15 communicating with theinterior 15′ of housing 15 for injecting fluid into the interior 15′ ofhousing 15. A washer 17, such as a neophrene washer, may be providedwhere barb 16 enters housing 15 to provide a liquid—tight seal.

As seen in FIG. 3, if member 14 is an inflatable tube, a conventionalair inlet 18 may be provided on the bottom wall 19 for inflating tube 14with air from a suitable exterior source.

As seen in FIG. 1, a weighted member 20 may be provided to hold housing15 and member 14 downwardly in a sealing position against drain 11 asseen in FIG. 4. Member 20 is generally a circular ring adapted toencircle housing 15, as seen in FIG. 4, and may be of sufficient weight,such as 10 pounds, to hold device 13 in position against drain 11creating a seal. Any suitable materials may be used, such as a plasticcoated material.

In operation, when the leak detection device 13 is installed against thedrain 11 of the pool of FIG. 1, a conventional flow meter may beconnected to barb 16 to detect any leaks therethrough. Alternatively, byconnecting a suitable hose to barb 16 and running it to the surface ofthe pool or the like, components in the pool or the like may be testedfor leaks while the operator is above water. Thus, any suitable dyesolution such as ordinary food coloring and water may be injectedtherein. If there is a leak, the dye solution will be sucked into thebarb 16 that is functioning as an inlet for housing 23. If the poolcomponent is not leaking, the dye will not be sucked in but insteadmaintain a natural swaying motion underwater.

Alternatively, the pool owner or operator of pool maintenance may diveunderwater with a dye solution and inject it through barb inlet 16 usinga syringe or the like.

As seen in FIG. 5, wherein like numerals refer to like parts of FIG. 1,pool 21 has 2 drains, 11 and 22. Here, housing 23, otherwise similar tohousing 15, does not have a barb inlet 16 as seen in FIG. 6. Housing 15and member 14, weighted by ring member 20, is held against drain 22while drain 11 is tested for leaks as heretofore discussed, since suchdrains are generally connected as part of the drain system.

As seen in FIG. 7, wherein like numerals refer to like parts of FIG. 1,a conventional pool light 24 is shown mounted in the sidewall of pool10. Here, weighted member 20 is not necessary.

The fluid detection device 25 of FIG. 7 is shown having a resilientmember 26, which may be similar to member 14, and may also beinflatable, a housing 27 which may be similar to housing 15, and a barbinlet 16 and washer 17 similar to that shown in the embodiment of FIGS.1 and 2. However, in this embodiment, a threaded shaft 28 extendsthrough housing 27 and the center of ring 26 and terminates in aconventional suction cup 29 of a resilient material, such as rubber. Aresilient washer 30 is provided where shaft 28 enters housing 27, and awing nut 31, which may be of plastic, may be provided threaded on shaft28.

As seen in FIG. 7, shaft 28 extends into a position where cup 29 mayengage the outside of dome 32 of light 24. Member 26 is again preferablycircular and of a diameter to cover light 24 abutting against the frame24′ holding dome 32 in position (see FIG. 9). Suction cup 29 abutsagainst dome 32 and wing nut 31 is tightened to force a seal ofdetection device 25 to light 24 that is created when tightened.

Barb inlet 16 may be used to inject a dye all as previously discussed.

FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment of the invention. Here, fluiddetection device 33, otherwise similar to the fluid detection devicecomponents 14, 15 of FIG. 1, shows a conventional suction/discharge pipe34 of pool 10. As seen in FIG. 11, again member 14 is a resilient memberthat may be a solid ring or an inflatable ring, and housing 27 issimilar to housing 27 of FIG. 8 also having a barbed inlet 16 andwashers 17, 30. However, in this embodiment, a hose 35 extends throughhousing 27, through the center of member 14, and terminates at bottom inan inflatable plug 36. As seen in FIG. 12, plug 36 is inserted into pipe34 and air may be injected into tube 35 by connecting a suitable sourceof air to threaded fitting 35′ at the top of inflating plug 36 whichexpands, outwardly against the interior wall of pipe 34, as seen in FIG.12, to seal off the pipe 34. Again, the leak detection operationsdiscussed above can be carried out through inlet 16.

FIG. 13 shows a skimmer 37 mounted in the side wall of pool 10 and afluid detection device 38 shown in detail in FIG. 14.

Here, member 14 and housing 27 may be identical to the member 14 andhousing 27 of FIG. 8. However, threaded shaft 39, having wing nut 40threaded thereon, terminates in a brace 41, which may be elongated andgenerally rectangular, and of any suitable material, such as plastic.

As seen in FIG. 15, brace 41 is inserted into the opening 42 of skimmer37, being tilted to facilitate entry, then nut 40 is tightened to sealbrace 41 against the inner wall 43 surrounding opening 42 of skimmer 37sealing off the same as previously, discussed.

Again, inlet 16 may be used to carry out the aftermentioned leakdetection.

Still another modification is shown in FIG. 16. The fluid detectiondevice 44 includes a housing 15 and resilient member 14 and inlet 16similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in thisembodiment, an adjustable clamp 45 is coupled to housing 15 and has anelongated portion 46 with a plurality of spaced slots or notches 47engaged by a tooth 48 of a trigger 49 mounted in a clamp portion 50extending downwardly from extension portion 46. By grasping handle 51and squeezing trigger 49, into and out of engagement with notches 47,clamp portion 50 can be ratcheted closed along elongated portion 46similar to a conventional jar lid opener. Thus, as seen in FIG. 17,clamp portion 50 is extending down into the interior of skimmer 37, theskimmer lid having been removed, abutting against inner wall 43, andsealing resilient member 14 and housing 15 against the opening 42leading into skimmer 37 when trigger 49 is squeezed and clamp portion 50latches closed.

It can be seen that there are described various embodiments of theinvention. Variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope ofthe invention should only be limited by the scope of the appendedclaims. Any suitable materials or dimensions may be used to carry outthe teachings of the invention. Member 14 need only be of a sufficientsize to completely surround and seal against the pool component beingtested for leaks.

1. A leak detecting device for a water filled vessel comprising: Anannular having a central opening resilient seal adapted to contact thesurface of the vessel underwater and create a seal between the resilientseal and the underwater surface of the vessel; A rigid housing hollow onits interior coupled to the resilient seal having an openingtherethrough having an inlet extending into the opening and accessiblefrom the exterior to selectively deliver fluid through the inlet intothe interior of the housing, or for coupling a flow meter thereto todetect the flow of water into or out of said housing, or deliver a dyesolution for leak detection purposes into the interior of said housingand through the central opening of the resilient seal.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 including a weighted member surrounding the housing and holdingsaid resilient seal against the surface of the vessel being detected forleaks.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said resilient seal is aninflatable generally circular ring.
 4. The device of claim 1 includingwherein said housing is dome-shaped.
 5. The device of claim 4 whereinsaid housing is of a transparent plastic material.
 6. The device ofclaim 1 wherein a threaded rod extends through said member and saidresilient seal is a ring, said rod extending through the center of saidring and terminating in a suction cup of a resilient material.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein said member has an inner wall and a nut isthreaded on said rod outwardly of said member adapted to pulls saidsuction cup toward said inner wall and tighten the same against saidmember whereby said cup can engage the dome of a light mounted in saidvessel with said resilient member encircling said light sealing off thesame.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said resilient member is a ringand an air hose extends through said housing and said ring terminates inan inflatable plug coupled to said air hose, said plug being adapted tobe inserted through an opening leading into a pipe of said vessel andexpanding within said pipe to seal off the same when air is injectedthrough said air hose to inflate said plug with said resilient membersealing off the opening leading into said pipe.
 9. The device of claim 1wherein said resilient member is a ring and a threaded shaft extendsthrough said housing and the center of said ring terminating in anelongated brace member, a nut threaded on said shaft outside of saidhousing and adapted to pull said brace toward said housing whentightened, said brace member being adapted to be inserted through anopening having an inner interior wall leading into a skimmer of saidvessel and abutting against the inner interior wall to pull said bracemember against said inner interior wall sealing off said skimmer whensaid resilient member abuts against and encircles the opening leadinginto said skimmer.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein said resilientmember is a ring and said housing has an outer surface, an adjustableclamp being coupled to the outer surface of said housing and having anextension portion with a plurality of spaced notches and a leverengaging said notches and ratcheting along said extension portion, saidlever having a downwardly extending clamp portion adapted to extend intoa skimmer of said vessel having an opening leading into said skimmer,said skimmer having an inner interior wall and said clamp portionadapted to engage said inner interior wall clamping said resilientmember to said skimmer when said lever is ratcheted along said extensionportion and engages selective ones of said spaced notches locking saidlever to selective ones of said notches.
 11. A method for detectingleaks through a component of a water filled vessel, said componenthaving an outer periphery, comprising the steps of: providing an annularresilient member having a central opening adapted to encircle saidcomponent and seal there against; providing a housing of a solidmaterial having a hollow interior on said resilient member with saidhollow interior communicating with said central opening, said housinghaving a peripheral rim engaging said resilient member and sealedthereto in a fluid tight manner; Providing a fluid inlet leading intothe interior of said housing remote from said resilient member; Placingsaid annular resilient member around the outer periphery of saidcomponent sealing off said component from said water in said vessel; andinjecting a dye through said fluid inlet into said housing and throughsaid central opening and against said component.
 12. The method of claim11 including the step of weighing down said housing and said member. 13.The method of claim 12 wherein the step of weighing down includes thestep of placing a weighted circular ring around said housing.